Dianne McDonald: Reminding myself to remember

Dianne McDonald

Tuesday

Apr 19, 2011 at 12:01 AMApr 19, 2011 at 6:16 PM

My aptitude for recollection was issue-free and possibly even stellar. I could remember people, places, scenarios, conversations and feelings with ease. I am not the only woman suffering with this condition, which mirrors early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. I see my female peers with lists and sticky notes all over the place.

I don’t know if it’s because I am busier than ever or I have more to keep track of than ever or what, but I find my memory is definitely not what it used to be. My aptitude for recollection was issue-free and possibly even stellar. I could remember people, places, scenarios, conversations and feelings with ease.

I am not the only woman suffering with this condition, which mirrors early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. I see my female peers with lists and sticky notes all over the place. I even write on my arm if I don’t want to forget something before I have paper to write it down. I try to use the notes system of my smartphone, but I can never remember how to use it. I try memory exercises, but I get distracted and forget why I am trying to remember what I was attempting. It’s a vicious cycle.

I suppose I just have to make the best of it and recognize that I need the tools allotted to me. For example, photos help me recall time periods, events and people from the past. I just need to remember to download the photos to the computer, although I will forget about the files there.

There are some times when you just need to submit to your shortcomings and do the best you can.

Recently, I met a dozen women at a dinner out. After I tried to associate a few names, I gave up. I pulled out a napkin and wrote all of our names down according to where we sat and the pressure was off … for all of us.

And no, I don’t know what I had for breakfast, either.

Dianne McDonald is a working mother who lives in Marshfield, Mass., with her husband and five kids.

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